The Everafter Book Review

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release date: October 1, 2009

Source: Publisher

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister's wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.

This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments—and the strength of true love even beyond death.

Review:

Something about The Everafter just made me have to keep reading. It was addicting! The plot was so unique, it was amazing. I admit, at first I was having a lot of trouble getting into it, but pretty soon I was so into it I didn't want to put it down. For a debut novel, Huntley's writing style is amazing, everything just flows and the story line and characters are really developed when the plot doesn't really give to a lot of development. Each chapter alternated between Maddy talking about life after she has died and her memories from different ages that she is experiencing. The alternating chapters was a great way to build up the story and by the end I was so engrossed I read straight through it last night. I was shocked to find out how she died... I don't want to give anything away so you'll have to read it to find out! Maddy was a great character and even though through most of the book she was narrating as already being dead, I felt like she was alive and well and someone I knew. It was creepy how well everything tied together in the end, as well. I was worried that Maddy's death had been built up and built up until the suspense was killing me, that I was worried the ending would be a disappointment, but I was completely wrong, it was fabulous. I'm really looking forward to reading more by Amy Huntley!

Death is something that has always fascinated me, I mean where do you go after you die? Huntley's perspective was really interesting and Maddy's sister, Kristen, brought up some really great points about death itself. The writing style of this book might not be for everything, but if at first it seems confusing, KEEP READING! It's completely worth it. In addition, I really loved the cover, it just went so perfectly with the book I couldn't imagine it having a different one. Covers with bright color contrasts always draw me to them. Like the stark red apple on the black cover of Twilight, this luminous, white flower really pops against the deep purple background. I highly recommend you go get a copy of The Everafter, it's amazing and Maddy's story will stick in my mind for a long time.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars